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STUDIO OWNER STORIES: SALINA NAVARRO, BARRE3 SAN DIEGO
In a few short years, Salina Navarro went from being a new client at barre3 Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia, to opening her very own studio, barre3 San Diego (which just celebrated its one year anniversary this month!). Once a marathon runner in her 20s, as she approached her 40th birthday, she wanted to mark the milestone by running the New York City Marathon. And this time, for a cause close to her heart, Every Mother Counts. We sat down with Salina to learn about her barre3 journey, how it has brought her to this moment, and why running for this cause at this moment in her life is deeply meaningful.
To donate to Salina’s NYC Marathon fundraising effort for Every Mother Counts, visit her page. To learn more about the important work Every Mother Counts does, visit www.everymothercounts.org.
BARRE3 MAGAZINE: Congratulations on your one-year anniversary for barre3 San Diego. What an amazing accomplishment! We’d love to hear more about your journey with barre3.
SALINA: I first heard about barre3 on the “Feel Good Effect” podcast. I loved every word Sadie said in that interview, and I immediately Googled “barre3.” The very next day, I jogged to my first class at barre3 Old Town in Alexandria, VA which happened to be only a mile away from my home, and the rest is history! I loved the workout, the inviting space, and the amazing instructor; and I knew that after that first class I needed to be part of this special community. Fast forward a few years and a move across the country, and we’re creating that same barre3 magic here in San Diego!
BARRE3 MAGAZINE: What was it about barre3 that made you want to become an owner?
SALINA: Serving my community has always been a priority for me, so becoming a barre3 owner met that need. I’ve always wanted to create a safe space for people to connect. And once I found barre3, I felt it in my gut that studio ownership was the right path for me. I love that I have the opportunity to build a team of amazing people, who share the same passion and goal–to bring more health, happiness, and connection to more people in our community, including ourselves. It’s an honor to be of service to other people while pursuing the thing that brings me joy (barre3), and I’m just trying my best to give back along the way.
BARRE3 MAGAZINE: What is some of the feedback you’ve received from clients about barre3, your studio, and the barre3 community?
SALINA: We had a very long pre-opening due to the pandemic, and clients were so grateful we were able to serve our community with livestream and outdoor classes for over a year before our physical doors opened, and I know that meant so much to so many! The North Park neighborhood in San Diego has since embraced our studio and has helped us celebrate our first year in business this month! Our clients rightfully feel like this is their happy place–they look forward to time for themselves in studio, and they love being able to connect. So many friendships have started here. Our clients feel the barre3 difference the second they walk in our doors and feel so welcomed, seen, and accepted. And this allows them to relax and not feel intimidated by fitness. I think clients are still shocked that there’s a workout that they want to do, that feels good and is effective. I love that our clients gain confidence and strength in our supportive environment. And they take that with them when they leave our studio doors and into the rest of their lives.
BARRE3 MAGAZINE: You’re getting ready to run the NYC Marathon in November—wow! What made you decide to do that?
SALINA: I turned 40 a few weeks ago and thought that running a marathon for a great cause would be an ideal way to celebrate this milestone! I ran five marathons in my late 20s, before children, and before barre3, so I’m excited to head back to the racecourse to see what my stronger and wiser body can do now after becoming a mother and having my barre3 practice.
BARRE3 MAGAZINE: You’re doing it for a pretty awesome cause. Can you tell us about that and your motivation behind it?
SALINA: Every Mother Counts (EMC) is an amazing non-profit organization I’ve supported from afar for years. A dear friend of mine runs for EMC regularly after she experienced her own postpartum complications, and she inspired me. When I donated to her running the NYC Marathon last year, I thought, why not me? I can do more to support. I can run and raise funds and awareness for this vital cause. So here we are, just over a week out from race day. I’m so honored and excited to be able to run for Every Mother Counts and to join the fight to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother, everywhere.
BARRE3 MAGAZINE: How has barre3 supported you on your journey to the marathon in and out of the studio?
SALINA: Barre3 makes me a stronger runner. Because of my barre3 practice, I have better posture; stronger core and legs; and greater awareness of my breath; and honestly more joy in the movement I get to do!
Barre3 has given me the opportunity to understand my body on a deeper level in and out of the studio. Because of barre3, I pay closer attention to the muscles that are engaged while running, I notice my mindset and thoughts and change them when needed, and I now prioritize stretching and stillness in my training just like we do at the end of every class. I’ve always loved running, but now I feel a whole-body experience like never before, and that’s because barre3 has taught me to honor my body. I’m so grateful for this practice and for my supportive community rooting me on with donations and words of encouragement as I set out to run my marathon.
Good luck, Salina! Your barre3 community will be cheering you on, near and far.
In a few short years, Salina Navarro went from being a new client at barre3 Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia, to opening her very own studio, barre3 San Diego (which just celebrated its one year anniversary this month!). Once a marathon runner in her 20s, as she approached her 40th birthday, she wanted to mark the milestone by running the New York City Marathon. And this time, for a cause close to her heart, Every Mother Counts. We sat down with Salina to learn about her barre3 journey, how it has brought her to this moment, and why running for this cause at this moment in her life is deeply meaningful.
To donate to Salina’s NYC Marathon fundraising effort for Every Mother Counts, visit her page. To learn more about the important work Every Mother Counts does, visit www.everymothercounts.org.
BARRE3 MAGAZINE: Congratulations on your one-year anniversary for barre3 San Diego. What an amazing accomplishment! We’d love to hear more about your journey with barre3.
SALINA: I first heard about barre3 on the “Feel Good Effect” podcast. I loved every word Sadie said in that interview, and I immediately Googled “barre3.” The very next day, I jogged to my first class at barre3 Old Town in Alexandria, VA which happened to be only a mile away from my home, and the rest is history! I loved the workout, the inviting space, and the amazing instructor; and I knew that after that first class I needed to be part of this special community. Fast forward a few years and a move across the country, and we’re creating that same barre3 magic here in San Diego!
BARRE3 MAGAZINE: What was it about barre3 that made you want to become an owner?
SALINA: Serving my community has always been a priority for me, so becoming a barre3 owner met that need. I’ve always wanted to create a safe space for people to connect. And once I found barre3, I felt it in my gut that studio ownership was the right path for me. I love that I have the opportunity to build a team of amazing people, who share the same passion and goal–to bring more health, happiness, and connection to more people in our community, including ourselves. It’s an honor to be of service to other people while pursuing the thing that brings me joy (barre3), and I’m just trying my best to give back along the way.
BARRE3 MAGAZINE: What is some of the feedback you’ve received from clients about barre3, your studio, and the barre3 community?
SALINA: We had a very long pre-opening due to the pandemic, and clients were so grateful we were able to serve our community with livestream and outdoor classes for over a year before our physical doors opened, and I know that meant so much to so many! The North Park neighborhood in San Diego has since embraced our studio and has helped us celebrate our first year in business this month! Our clients rightfully feel like this is their happy place–they look forward to time for themselves in studio, and they love being able to connect. So many friendships have started here. Our clients feel the barre3 difference the second they walk in our doors and feel so welcomed, seen, and accepted. And this allows them to relax and not feel intimidated by fitness. I think clients are still shocked that there’s a workout that they want to do, that feels good and is effective. I love that our clients gain confidence and strength in our supportive environment. And they take that with them when they leave our studio doors and into the rest of their lives.
BARRE3 MAGAZINE: You’re getting ready to run the NYC Marathon in November—wow! What made you decide to do that?
SALINA: I turned 40 a few weeks ago and thought that running a marathon for a great cause would be an ideal way to celebrate this milestone! I ran five marathons in my late 20s, before children, and before barre3, so I’m excited to head back to the racecourse to see what my stronger and wiser body can do now after becoming a mother and having my barre3 practice.
BARRE3 MAGAZINE: You’re doing it for a pretty awesome cause. Can you tell us about that and your motivation behind it?
SALINA: Every Mother Counts (EMC) is an amazing non-profit organization I’ve supported from afar for years. A dear friend of mine runs for EMC regularly after she experienced her own postpartum complications, and she inspired me. When I donated to her running the NYC Marathon last year, I thought, why not me? I can do more to support. I can run and raise funds and awareness for this vital cause. So here we are, just over a week out from race day. I’m so honored and excited to be able to run for Every Mother Counts and to join the fight to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother, everywhere.
BARRE3 MAGAZINE: How has barre3 supported you on your journey to the marathon in and out of the studio?
SALINA: Barre3 makes me a stronger runner. Because of my barre3 practice, I have better posture; stronger core and legs; and greater awareness of my breath; and honestly more joy in the movement I get to do!
Barre3 has given me the opportunity to understand my body on a deeper level in and out of the studio. Because of barre3, I pay closer attention to the muscles that are engaged while running, I notice my mindset and thoughts and change them when needed, and I now prioritize stretching and stillness in my training just like we do at the end of every class. I’ve always loved running, but now I feel a whole-body experience like never before, and that’s because barre3 has taught me to honor my body. I’m so grateful for this practice and for my supportive community rooting me on with donations and words of encouragement as I set out to run my marathon.
Good luck, Salina! Your barre3 community will be cheering you on, near and far.
